The Mountain Goats - No Children

[KaristaSwiss]

Classic haha :)

[bloodyyankee21]

The Mountain Goats and Andrew Jackson Jihad

nuff said

[Alexisbrutal77]

he sounds better live

[torbad]

10 people are drowning, hand in unlovable hand.

[SydManson69]

i would love to have seen this performance live. 

[catdogdora]

this song is so amazing, im so glad i heard them on moral orel x)

[jalacy93]

Look at his hand!

[JamesMLeo]

peter hughes is the sexiest man alive

[beastialitey]

They should always play this song with a crowd yelling the lyrics. always.

[fergushall]

I walked down the aisle to this motherfucking tune

[andyster]

@fergushall Seriously? I would have loved to be at your wedding! I guess we can't play it during our wedding ceremony now though since that would be copying... but we're trying desperately to win tickets to see The Mountain Goats live at Lollapalooza. Please help by thumbing up my video so I win the contest - it's our only chance.

/watch?v=-13jZyJerF8

[Maggermickjagger]

@andyster i think @fergushall meant that he hates his spouse.. this song defines his relationship

[Kindahuge]

@fergushall No you didn't

[m0zc0re]

@fergushall You did that a little backwards. You get divorced to this song.

[PronkAxis]

Everytime he plays the F# he flips the bird... and it's perfect

[shawridge]

TRUTH!!!!!

[16677400]

cant wait to see you at SoHo in SB next month. Just bought tickets!

[heeh2]

This is potentially a high grade drinking song.

[Medafets]

I watch these videos just to listen to what Darnielle has to say.

[Ozaze3]

Anyone else think he look s alittle bit like a young Steve Carrel? Like in his mannerisms and smile?

[LanguorousLass]

Best live performance of this song on YouTube.

[arteryman]

the only song tallahassee deserves

[iaMyla]

This is so much better than the stupid things the most popular singers sing about.. I mean seriously... How many songs about partying all night on the dance floor all night long, or wanting to have sex with a hot girl do we need?!?!

The Mountain Goats have good lyrics.. Love it ^^

[MistaGrieves]

@iaMyla Be fair. People should sing about what they know. John knows about literature, pop/world culture, and people in general, so he sings about that. The Black Eyed Peas know about partying, so they sing about that. I think it's unfair to say that you have to have lyrics of a certain quality. Especially in a genre like pop/dance music where lyrics are more just meant to set the mood ,which is usually, well, "listen to this during parties." Sorry if this come across as overly confrontational

[katieisblue]

UGH I am in love with that man.

[jjejeep]

this song is beautiful

[kemora2128]

this song cheers me up all the time. c:

[birdface23]

sing along is epic

[kmecameron]

This is one of the best things.

[youngandenthusiastic]

"and i hope i never get sober....woooo!"

[schwad06]

9 people have children. =/

[OhGoditsJoshua]

He always plays the Doug Fir. I hope to see him one day soon

[ImACuckoo33]

Playing the Mountain Goats to school children will improve their writing skills. I guarantee it.

[SPARTIN862]

the bitter hopelessness of this song is beautiful

[SPARTIN862]

the bitter hopelessness of this song is beautiful 

[Unibrow9000]

damn bullzeye95 has been pretty busy keeping it real. good prose up there about the "400 mph fall towards earth..." i like that. i havent seen anyone mention the dark sense of humor in this song, though. it seems like he is almost making fun of his irrational hopelessness when he says "i hope we both die!" its like some kind of adult temper tantrum that we all rarely feel, but still sometimes do when things get that bad. what a feat of self-expression. its beautiful.

[PureRedHead]

What I would give to have been with those people.

[ComebackKidd05]

this song gives me chills. in a good way

[PlaidMutineer]

I love how John takes the harmony while the audience takes the melody in the last chorus.

[WhiteSpartanWolf]

THE MOUNTAIN GOATS WILL CURE YOUR BIEBER FEVER!

[blagdiesel]

wow. i can't stop listening to this song. so good.

[S0rasN0b0dy]

I always thought of this as "If you stay with me i'll stay with you" not some hateful song to someone :3

[Ratgrappler]

I have both this and the studio version on my ipod because the original is awesome but frankly, the voices joining in on this one is just pure blissful nihilism.

[Anon261644]

John really loves Portland. I was at his show, again at the Doug Fir, in June 2010 and he played No Children, Autoclave, The Best Ever Death Metal Band Out of Denton, and all those other great songs he never plays for the other cities.

[gakathon]

I see a lot of people commenting on the angst, the pain, the very trials and tribulations, that are found in ALL relationships.

But does NOBODY get the dark comedy in this? Does NOBODY see nor hear the JOY in the audience's voices as they sing along?? I don't think I've EVER heard an audience sing with as much gusto!

People, lighten up. There is a VERY good chance that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US has been hurt one way or another. This goes out to all of those that did the hurting.

[Bullzeye95]

@gakathon No it doesn't. Once again, another pop fan who's incapable of deep analysis shows up and yells "EMO SONG! Everybody sing along, it applies to EVERYBODY!".

Stop trying to turn the Alpha Couple into "Everybody Hurts" by REM. You make yourself look shallow and stupid and like you never bothered to read the lyrics when you say shit like that.

Not every relationship song needs to apply to the stupid floozy you met at the Guster concert and broke up with a week later. Learn some depth.

[Bullzeye95]

@gakathon Beg pardon, but you're an idiot and you're embarrassing yourself with your shallow diatribe about how every single relationship song in the country is the same thing as "Everybody Hurts" by REM and therefore isn't allowed to be complex or hard to understand.

Gonna go out on a limb and say you've never been married or had a relationship that lasted longer than a year.

But please, keep trying to apply the song to the chick you met at the Guster concert and broke up with after a week.

[casscase1]

I love this song. I wrote the lyrics down to it for my husband ahen he left me for his crackhead girlfriend after 5 kids and 18 years. when I asked if he got it, they thought i wrote it.. of coarse I kinda hear the song differantly since he killed himself last month of a heroin overdose. I really didnt know that would happen but feel guilty of coarse.

[HorrorClaus]

@casscase1 LOL

[Bullzeye95]

@casscase1 Wow.... More people need to read your story before they post their shallow little "my 9th grade girlfriend left me, this song's ttly about my life" story.

I am sorry for your troubles, but I am glad that No Children at least allowed you to better express yourself in your time of despair.I also sincerely hope you have since been able to find peace since then.

People singing along happily suggests to me that they just haven't had the kind of relationship that allows them to "get it".

[casscase1]

@Bullzeye95 Thankx for your comments. I am actualy writing a book (obviously will use spellcheck:)) and have just finished the first chapter, so people will be able to read it someday. I am more at peace since I wrote this post and have detoxed myself off heroin after 32 years of opiate addiction. I am still homeless and that makes things alot harder, but some good advice I've got is HANG ON so thats what I'll do. and again, thank-you.....Moonbeam

[zachwampler]

What I love best about the Mountain Goats is how these super dark songs become unbelievably joyful when played live.

[kurleyfries93]

Love you, Stephanie

[percussionwithfire]

i got some serious goosebumps

[joshlopez116]

fuck yeah, fuck all da bullshit

[Rikuji20]

Damn, this guy sings well, but he has an awesome speaking voice too.

[TheMrNamefag]

>looks at description and realizes I walked past this place a few times when this was happening

God damn, how did I miss it?

[EagleRafter]

@TheMrNamefag

/v/ isn't funny

[TheMrNamefag]

@EagleRafter

I realize this. /v/ isn't the only board that uses greentext, and I left 4chan all together like three months ago. Using ">" is just second-nature now.

[Gruntsplatter]

this song makes me happy because it reassures me that people feel as shit as I do

[nickspoon0]

The audience singing along to this makes it so much more... intense. You can really feel the energy, the emotion behind the song. I would love to have been there.

[TheFunnyFreak]

This song makes me think of so many people in my life......

[mynamesjustMaddy]

I love this song,but the audience singing ads a whole new layer of amazing to the cake that is the mountain goats. <3

[rabbitwho]

So amazing everyone singing along,beautiful!

[thegzl]

I love the Mountain Goats so much, but nothing ruins their music faster then an audience singing along. Most of their live shows are like this, and I wish people would just shut the fuck up. Congratulations we know you memorized their songs, we all did, I just didn't pay to hear you sing it.

[knoxrox167]

@thegzl

i think the sound of the audience singing with the performer, especially with folk-punk, makes the whole thing so much better.

[newtonthenewt]

Can someone more music-savvy than me help figure out the strum pattern?

[Fraeg]

@newtonthenewt the chords or the actual strumming?

[Fraeg]

@newtonthenewt for strum patterns it helps me to *sing* the strum... so *ehem* something like "ching chinga ching ching ching chinga" that helps me figure out strumming patterns. if you are looking for down down down up up, in 4/6 time or something like that, sorry can't help you there.

[DannyAces]

I heard this on morel orel- good song. Got a new ringtone for my gf. Not sure what she'd say if she heard it...

[The505Guys]

This suddenly got too emo for my tastes...

[Mattbromans]

Yeah, but this is real emotion from a guy with real problems. The lyrics are so full of vile and hatred, it's great. If you haven't felt like this at least once in your life then you must have a lot of valium.

[NiteManhattan]

@Mattbromans I really love this song, and I know what you mean about the hatred here. But, the more I listen to it, the more I realize that it's kind of a love song. As frustrated as the speaker is with his wife and his life, there's this sense of togetherness that runs through the whole song. John Darnielle puts it perfectly at the beginning of this video: it's loving someone so much that you want them to die.

[MarlonOwnsYourCake]

@NiteManhattan It's not a song about love, it's a song about feelings commonly confused with love. Including hatred.

[theworthofworms]

Same! I love the harmony of the audience. Makes it really epic.

[peanutfoot]

It's amazing how he always gets the crowd to sing along. Quite an entertainer, this guy.

The best part is that the arrangement makes it sound like something you would sing around a campfire.

[Reflud77]

as screwed up as the rest of us who dig this! =)

[Seiferous]

its funny cause he sounds JUST like Weird Al

[TheKyGuy]

@Seiferous

I know, he totally sounds like him. XD

[alooferthesexy1]

this song genuinely makes me smile. how fucked am i?

[TheChristianAtheist]

does he have an official youtube account? id look for it myself but im blazin right now and i dont think i could find my ass with both hands and a map. my friend had to type and translate this just so you know. thanks you...and good night XD

[Ranour]

I love the way potheads have to let you know they are stoned as if you should be proud of them for being drug addicts. Being so weak that you need to rely on a chemical substance to make you feel good is nothing to be proud of and you should probably keep your drug habbits to yourself

[TheArrogantSOB]

I love the way that you will die someday :]

[m0zc0re]

Lighten the fuck up!

Really. Lighten up. I'll buy you a coffee at stumptown before the next show if it makes you feel better.

I can even be decaf!

Please. Take things less seriously.

Love, the guy who hasn't smoked pot in forever!

[johnnycoolguy9]

im just high enough that i might blow off your head with a twelve gauge. thats what drugs did to me

[DoubleJumpCo]

This is such an anthem to so many people. John's ability to write lyrics that connect so many people is unbelievable.

If I was in that audience, damn right I would sing along.

[Ratgrappler]

When this was used in Moral Orel, this was probably the most nihilistic and beautiful / depressing song I have ever heard.

Another good one is "A Better Son / Daughter" by Rilo Kiley.

[buckoff704]

thanx for the tip ratgrappler a few more great ones are acetone by mudhoney and 3libras by a perfect circle

[magoichi1415]

@Ratgrappler

I love that song.

It's probably my most listened to song on my iPod

[m0zc0re]

I was shocked to have my heart break over Moral Orel, and to literally get misty-eyed over fucking claymation.

Brilliant moment, and anything that pushes M.G. a larger audience is okay by me!

[MrAngrybrian]

I hate the fact that the crowd feels the need to sing along for the entire song. I came to hear John Darnielle singing, not for amateur hour.

That said, it's a fantastic song from a fantastic band.

[usernameindc]

MrAngrybrian, What part of him saying "I want you to sing it like you mean it" did you not understand moron? 0:11

[sweetdeceit015]

I think he asked them to sing it though...

[Mittau]

Pah, I like this recording better than the studio version. The fact that the entire audience singes it with such passion adds too the song so much.

[jkush]

tits.

[xxprojektloserxx]

I love them. I saw them at First Avenue a year ago, they were great.

[oshkoshbygosh]

I'm so sad I didn't get to go to this. They need to go back to doug fir.

[p2pjoe]

I am drowning

There is no sign of land

You are coming down with me

Hand in unlovable hand

And I hope you die

.....best lyrics ever

[NadiaKent]

I fall in love a little bit with him every time I hear it. Oh, irony.

[goodbyeyellowbrickR]

I love this song. It's so beautiful when every one joins in and sings, so bitter.

[BaBaBaBlazin]

awesome video, mountain goats dude is mad good

[Bullzeye95]

This is way more complicated than emo

If you understand the story of the "Alpha Couple", their relationship has not simply gone bad and they break up, poof.

They're two identical and destructively flawed people who are in a death-embrace of drugs and depression, falling at 400 mph towards earth, full of hate for each other and themselves but still in love each other because they ARE each other.

This isn't a "fuck you, bitch" song. It's a "You show me how ugly I am, but I can't quit you" song.

[TheDeathSage]

Dude...you're awesome. Great analysis.

[evosanderzz]

This is the best comment I have ever seen on youtube.

[cliquehop]

wow, Bullzeye95, your name is very appropriate. You hit it right on the head there; very on target. Best comment ever...

[p2pjoe]

@Bullzeye95 you are very spot on with your analysis if "no children".i love this song and now i love it more because you opened my eyes to a new way of seeing it. thanks.

[MCRAFISP9]

@Bullzeye95 this song i think, captures the relationship between the alpha couple. it shows the destruction of man when pitted against each other, but the never ending want to love and be loved. Although you are right about it being more complicated by emo, it is more complicated than the new emo that is out now. Emo was originated in the 80's, and it was just short of emotional, weather it be dark or light. so, this can, in an odd way, be considered "emo"

[Bullzeye95]

@MCRAFISP9 I would argue that it is "emotional", since it deals with emotions and feelings, but it's definitely not "emo" because it's not self-indulgent crap.

Emo's based around the idea that emotions are inherently valid and they don't need a good story or reason for them, no matter how juvenile or poorly formed they are. Basically teenagers having a good cry together.

This is different. It requires the adult knowledge of how YEARS of self-sacrifice and misery with somebody can ruin you.

[nuckbucker]

@Bullzeye95 this alpha couple story sounds amazingly interesting. what is it?

[Bullzeye95]

@nuckbucker John does theme albums. The album Tallahassee is his best and it's completely about the Alpha Couple.

By John's description, the Alpha Couple "originally loved each other genuinely", but now "their love has not so much died as warped into the sincere, all-consuming desire for each of them to see the other drink themselves to death."

I still laugh at people who post here yelling "This applies to everybody! Reminds me of the chick I met at the DMB concert and dated for a week!"

[Robogabriel]

@Bullzeye95 So it's not meant to be ironic?

[BlackMageV]

@Bullzeye95 I always feel glad when I see an intelligent comment at the top of the list.

[AtlDYnasty25]

such a great performance

[Marveto25]

their greatest song of all time, and one of the greatest songs of all time, thank you for such a well written song that speaks to me in so many ways

[randomnarutofan]

Oh lord, I love this song.

Thank you, Moral Orel.

AND The Mountain Goats. :)

[InTheHaunted]

I'm the opposite of everyone here. I learned about Mountain Goats while watching a Decemberists video (amazing band) and heard this song and fell in love and THEN started watching Morel Orel because of this song being in it haha.

[spicyMcHAGGIS9green]

This song goes out to my ex girlfriend Stephanie. Bitch.

[SamEighteen]

Amen to that. For me, this is dedicated to a certain whore named Heaven.

[3mediapro]

Who the fuck names their kid Heaven?

[Zerozero27]

Seems like a pretty cool name to me, shame it belongs to a whore.

[rush68]

I wasn't aware you break up with people you're married to. It's called getting seperated get, or divorced.

PS: you've been confusing your with you're.

[AbsalomPitchingfork]

You're completely missing the fucking point. The point of the songs by The Mountain Goats is to capture an emotion, not to call people a bitch. So, before you make an ass of yourself, learn what art is.

But, then, you like Glenn Beck, so you're probably hopeless.

[DaleGribs]

@spicyMcHAGGIS9green

You obviously don't get this song.

[torsten420]

@DaleGribs ... I don't think you got this song. Please enlighten us as to what you think its all about.

[boiledhooker]

@spicyMcHAGGIS9green I dedicated this song to a Stephanie too.

[ikorack]

No one name your kid Stephanie

[TheMrNamefag]

@spicyMcHAGGIS9green

Someone missed the point of this song.

[Mittau]

I love how the entire audience sings like they really get what the song is about. Makes a good performance of a good song into a spectacular recording.

[m0zc0re]

God bless Portland Oregon. We are good people!

[dryeraser123]

up beat rhythm with down spiraling lyrics Fuckin awesome

[dinkleburgkult]

fucking awesome

[ae6776]

:DDD im just in love with john darniellee. and this song. its just too beautiful

[couchiedp93]

reminds me of steve carell. but i love this band.

[deathchips]

in the intro, I was thinking Colbert

[Moleskineman]

Hahah -_- I see what you mean!

[blueamerican54]

I was at this show! :D So good...

Me friend Melinda at 2:45 on the far right!!!

[berryjinin]

cool i am so jealous

[mrmcgiggles]

its chilling and disturbing....and i love it.

[spootity]

would make a good song for a funeral :)

[PSF1]

there is something just not right about a

'sing along" to no children.

i guess it is the theme song for a f'd up generation. we're all fucked!

[jonny5blaze]

maaan, this is a great song. c'ma.

[Zerozero27]

You, sir, have no grasp upon what emo actually is, do you?

[afsbjah2]

you good sir are not very clever at all!

in fact i would i would call you an idiot!! :D

[hehfilms]

A fantastic song.

An honest description of broken marriage.

[Jayplex]

I really want to know the background to this song. Did they put it out as a joke or in relation to something in their life. Maybe I just need to listen to other songs from them to understand their style.

[delusionaldiminutive]

This song is part of a series of songs that John wrote following a fictional couple he calls The Alpha Couple.

[fuer321]

i dont know man but, when put to the geniouse of dino stan. this song is fucking disturbing. truly amazing.

[ragnar3434]

I love this song so fucking much.

[roastporkbun]

Wow. How wonderful to hear everyone singing along to these lyrics like that. If only Morel Orel had that many followers!

[fuer321]

i wouldnt doubt most of those people watched morel orel. not much too do here in portland........

[neosoullover2000]

that's why you leave Portland and never look back!!!!!!!!!!

[SirKrow]

thats where i heard them

[Zodiakwarrior]

One of the best songs ever song..... easily, and if you cant feel the song...... than im sure you havent lived yet.

[evilsupermario]

lmao!!!! this is seriously my new favorite song......i can't stop watching it. :-)

[greedymuppet]

"I hope you die! ALL OF US! I hope we all die!"

Wonderful performers. I must witness them in real life sometime, just to prove to myself that, yes, they do exist!

[JonahNigro]

i saw him solo

best show of my life

[delusionaldiminutive]

I seriously need to stop watching this. It's so awesome I must have seen it like ten times already. This version is soooo much better than the studio version. I love JD so much. The audience are also eerily good at singing.T

[davidls11]

Perfect song for Moral Orel episode Numb:

/watch?v=dOMV9b8vcpE&feature=r­elated

[Siglark]

So true

[Torrment]

Stupendous energy to this particular performance, man.

[dropd24]

I love how everyone here is singing these fucked up lyrics.

[captivity]

I love these guys so much. I hope I can see them live one day!

[seinfeld41]

me too!

[Domebuddy]

I like how the bass player gets into regardless of how boring it is to play bass =p

[LDSBASS]

If you find your instrument boring you shouldnt be playing it.

[xMatthewxOceanx]

Just because you find it boring, doesn't mean he does.

Taking a shit might be fun for some people, you don't know.

[athoughtcomes]

taking a shit is the most fantastic thing ever.

[ejgreene12]

to play bass or to play this song? there's a difference. This song is a bit boring to play but it's still got a nice little groove. If you're looking for more interesting bass fare I suggest looking up anything by Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller, or les claypool.

[sptfgpn]

It's never a good idea to have the houselights up.

[nate21064]

infinitely better than the album version

[sandwiches]

"so much I love you

so much I wish you would die now"

[BaBaBaBlazin]

he plays it so damn well! fast-ass finger strumming owns this song